Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-11-15
The Rock Creek Improvement.


In TIE STAR OF the nth notice the statement
that the Commissioners intend TO recommend the
arcning OF Rock Creek and the cutting OF a tunnel
70 straighten the channel and which they think can
be done for 100000, and that the benefit will
more than repay the citizens for the small addi-
tional burden OF taxation that may be imposed
upon tnem," from which IL would seem they pro-
pose TO increase our taxes FOR that purpose,
thereby admitting that the present revenues OF
the District will not justify undertaking the work.
on the 9Th OF June, 1885, 1 published an "open
letter 10 the Commi jsioners, In which called at
tention 10 this and some six other schemes pro-
posed, and which would involve the expenditure
Of many millions OF dollars. In that predicted
that the cost OF the water-works extension would
reach 81 600, 600 and already there mas been ex-
asked for TO complete H. When the appropriation
was made. July 10, 1857, we were assured by the
engineers that the work would be completed In
two years: but, in The STAR OF November II
1887, we are told by the contractors that at least
a yea- more would be required to complete II,
thus making SIX and q half instead OF two yea s.
and the cost over S2,5oO,OOO instead OF 81, 30s.-
541.s1, their original estimate, or q, 4S2, $3.50,
When this Rock Creek scheme was discussed two
years ago. Mr.. Webb stated that IL would cost be-
tween two and three millions OF dollars. and ven
ture the prediction now that II undertaken 1t will
cost nearer two millions than the f1ve hundred
thousand now given out.
What Is the nect sslty for it. SO far as have
seen two reasons are given: First, that the lower
part OF the creek contains comparatively still
water polluted by sewage. second, that by
IL viii benent real estate In that section.
That the latter Is the prime object is clear to my
mind In the former Is the real reason, then why
Is IL that no such plan IL proposed for the James
Creek Canal? That being below tide Is far more
stagnant than Rock Greek right up to the Capitol
seWasa. and under the pian Of suSurnsn sewersg e
devised BY the engineers this year. IL Is 10 receive
In addition all the sewage OF Mount Pleasant,
LeDroit Park and all the northwest country be-
tween and beyond those points In The STAR OF
June ID the plan OF suburban sewerage adopted by
the engineers Is described, and although Il says
that "the natural drainage OF the surface Is for
large part toward the north and west," still IL Is
proposed 10 bring the sewage OF Mount Pleasant,
LeDroit Park and all that region down into bound
AIRY sewer. and In the CrItic a Few days later,
Capt Symons explains that Ii Is not 70 90 through
boundary sewer into the Eastern Branch, but Will
be diverted from that and emp-ied into the James
Creek Canal, and ne adds, that las 10 the state
ment that Rock Creek Is the natural direction for
Rock Greek from sewerage, because II Is very
desirable TO keep the creek pure POSI-
Bile, on account OF the proposed National
From this it Is clear that II either needs arching
order TO protect the health OF the city, James
Creek canal needs II FAR more than Rock Greek,
and that such need will BE- greatly increased by
the addition OF this suburban sewage. Here Is this
great sewer running from the boundary clear
across, and hight through the heart OF the city,
emptying It's contents into an open ditch lust be,
low the Capitol. at tide water, where, as any one
can see the foul matter stands, and Is fioated back
and forth BY ach nse and fall OF the tide Just as
In the old canal, and not one word Is said about
that, while it Is proposed TO sp nd hundreds of
thousands, II not millions, on Rock Greek! I do
not write this with the idea that the proposed i'm
prOvement OF Rock Greek Is not desirable Ii would
be good tling 10 do, especially for the owners Of
real estate In that region; but what say is, that
the James Creek sewer needs II more, far as any
public necessity exists, and that the revenues or
the District VIII not at the present time justify
undertaking the work. While ciliZens have 10
build sewers In the public streets OF the city az
their private expense 70 connect their houses with
because OF the want OF public funds and the
teachers cannot be paid their salaries and can
not get school houses enough or an increase OF
police, OF police stations, or IRE engines decent
sidewalks for the same reason, object 10 the ex-
penditure OF the public funds, OF the Increase OF
our taxes for any such project II the
real estate men are willing to make the
the lots created by all means let them
doft No one could reasonably object 10 that and
would favor IL heartily. I they are willing 10
take the risk would not object, though they make
million ont Of II, but do object 70 being taxed
for any such scneme. As TO Inc sewerage, what
should be done, Is for Congress to adopt some
general AMI comprehensive plan OF receiving or
intercepung sewers In south Washington and
means for keeping them clear, and delivering the
sewage into the river at point In the main chan
nel where the current Will carry 1t on at once
And that the General Government ought TO do it
sell Just as II improves the river Itself. II Is
national work, necessary for the nations CAPT.
tol as Is the Improvement OF the sewerage OF the
Treasury for the nations building. Ii IL will not
do that then IL ougut 70 relieve US OF the debt
which It's o1ncers created, ana let US have the
revenues OF the District TO complete the work
Which the General Government originally agreed
and undertook 20 do with the proceeds Of the land
donated 70 IL BY the citizens OF the District.
think tie Commissioners would much better
suoserve TIE public Interests by advocating this
latter plan than by proposing 70 expend cur
limited revenues 50 much needed for more neces-
many other schemes proposed. W. c. DoDGE.
November II, 1857.